Clamping device



H. COON CLAMP ING DEVICE July 15, 1969 Filed Sept. 15, 1967 INVENTOR. 96 Coo x United States Patent O US. Cl. 24-137 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A plastic or hard rubber clamping device is disclosed having identical jaw members held in face-to-face relation with each other by a spring. The jaws pivot about a pivotal edge which includes a built-up area to prevent stress concentrations on each jaw and resultant jaw cracking.

This invention is primarily used as a clamping device for holding clothes on a garment hanger, and more particularly is an improved clamping device of the kind consisting of pivoted jaws controlled by a spring that permits suflicient gripping force to be exerted on clothes to allow the clothes to be held in place. This invention may also be employed as a clamping device to hold paper goods and also as an all-purpose display clip.

This invention is adapted to slide along the crossbar of a skirt or suit hanger and to hold any article of apparel, heavy or sheer, securely in place without damage to the garment. It can also be used on pegboard fixtures and Wrought iron display fixtures such as those used to show handkerchiefs, scarves, etc. It has been found that many prior art clamping clips do not have suflicient strength to hold clothing, and that many clamping clips which do have sufficient strength mar or damage the garments. It is not possible to overcome the deficiency of weakness by using extra large springs to provide sufficient holding strength since this necessitates an oversize clip housing which would be too large to be used on a standard garment hanger.

Many prior art plastic clips, in attempting to solve the problem of weakness through the use of stronger springs, have been found to crack or shatter when in use. It is, of course, essential that a clothes clamping clip not only hold garments securely in place, but also be free from cracking, shattering, or any weakness in construction.

Clothes clamping clips are used in great volume and are low cost items. It is therefore necessary that the clip be designed for rapid, economical and automatic assembly.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved clothes clamping clip.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved clamping clip that is capable of securely hold- 1 ing garments or other articles in place.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved clamping clip that is capable of securely holding clothes in place and is compact enough to be used with standard skirt or suit hangers and will be firmly attached to the skirt or suit hangers during actual clamping without sliding Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved clamping clip that can be rapidly and economically made.

A further object is to provide a clamping clip that will not break or shatter during periods of prolonged use nor mar or damage the garment or other article secured thereto.

Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, the

3,456,262 Patented July 15, 1969 "ice foregoing and other objects are accomplished by providing the identical jaw members of the clamping clip of the present invention with gripping means at one end and with a slot running transversely of the jaw length at about the midpoint thereof. On the opposite side of each jaw from which the gripping means are placed and at the gripping end on the jaw is a recess. A generally U shaped spring fits through the slot on each jaw and has an end positioned in the recess on each jaw. Each jaw also has a built-up area about which it pivots to provide greater resistance to jaw breakage. The last mentioned feature allows the use of a stronger spring with a plastic or hard rubber jaw member and increases the holding power of the clamping clip of the present invention over prior art plastic or hard rubber clamping clips.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following specification and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a isometric view of a clamping clip in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the clamping clip of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a view along line 44 of FIG. 3.

In FIG. 1 a clamping clip 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown including a pair of identical jaws 11 in face-to-face relationship. The jaws are preferably made of a plastic or hard rubber material. Since jaws 11 are identical to each other, a description of one jaw will be sufiicient for an understanding of the invention and each jaw will be identically numbered.

Each jaw includes a slot 14 through which a generally U shaped spring 13 is inserted to bring a gripping means 16 on each jaw into abutting relation with the gripping means of the facing jaw. An opening 15 extends through clamping clip 10 for insertion of a crossbar or any other supporting member.

In FIG. 2, it can readily be seen that spring 13 is symmetrical and includes a top portion 17 which is slightly curved upwardly and which is integral with a pair of legs 18. Each leg includes a flared portion 19 which is curved slightly outwardly and a bottom portion 20. As shown in FIG. 3, flared portion 19 of each leg of spring 13 makes an angle 0 with top 17 of spring 13 (measured from the inside of spring 13) that is slightly greater than and preferably about Bottom portion 20 of each leg of spring 13 is slightly inclined inwardly with respect to flared portion 19. The end of each bottom section 20 of spring 13 is bent to form a dimple 21. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the entire length of spring 13 is of constant crosssectional area.

Each jaw 11 includes a front side 23 and a rear side 24. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the profile of the rear side of each jaw includes a straight handle portion 12, a flared section 40 and a straight lower section 41. From FIG. 3 it is apparent that straight lower section 41 and handle portion 12 are substantially parallel to each other. In FIG. 2, straight lower section 41 is seen to include a channel 25 which is defined by two side walls 26 and 80. In the bottom of channel 25 is a recess 29 and integral therewith is a flat section 28. Contiguous to flat section 28 and at a slight inclination thereto, is an inclined section 30. On the front side 23 of jaw 11 (best seen on the left jaw in FIG. 2) is a second channel 45, defined by parallel side walls 46 and 47 and base portion 48. Base portion 48 extends part of the length of handle 12 and terminates to help define slot 14.

As can be seen on the left jaw in FIG. 2, channel 45 is generally V shaped in cross section along the length of the jaw with the apex of the V at the top of jaw 11. It should be apparent that the opposite surface of base portion 48 is formed by handle portion 12. Sidewalls 46 and 47 extend to a flared or built-up section 36. Built-up section 36 is slightly wider than sidewalls 46 and 47 and comprises a circular arc of slightly less than 180 and preferably about 165 of built-up material terminating as a ledge 35. Inside the circular arc is a round surface 50 which, along with the round surface of the opposite jaw, defines opening 15. Ledge 35 has a peg 33 extending outwardly therefrom and a hole 34 extending into the ledge. Hole 34 has approximately the same circumference as peg 33. A surface section 31, which is on the side opposite base portion 28 of jaw 11, extends to gripping means 16 and to a wall 32. Wall 32, as can be seen in FIG. 3, is at an angle of about 135 to surface section 31 and extends to ledge 35 (FIG. 2).

In FIG. 1, which shows the clip assembled, spring 13 is inserted through slot 14 of each jaw to hold them firmly against each other. From FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 it can be seen that bottom 20 of each leg of spring 13 is pressed against fiat section 28 of channel 25 with dimple 21 of each leg of spring 13 in a recess 29 of each jaw. From FIG. 4, it can readily be seen that the pegs on each jaw mate with the corresponding hole on the opposite jaw.

In operation on a garment hanger, the crossbar is inserted through opening 15 of clamping clip of the invention. When it is desired to open the clip, pressure is applied to handle portion 12 of each jaw and the jaws pivot along edge 52 of ledge 35 (FIGS. 2 and 3) to move gripping means 16 of one jaw apart from the gripping means of the other jaw. During the opening of the clamping clip, spring 13 will be compressed slightly. Upon a release of pressure on the handle portion of each jaw, spring 13 will close the clip and bring gripping means 16 of one jaw into abutting relation with the gripping means 16 of the second jaw.

During opening of the clip the jaws will pivot about edge 52 of ledge 35 (seen as a point in FIG. 3) bringing edge 53 (seen as a point in FIG. 3) of each jaw towards the corresponding edge of the other jaw. The urging of edges 53 towards each other will tend to decrease the size of opening and will maintain the clip firmly attached to the member from which it is hanging.

An important feature of the present invention is the increased cross-sectional area about pivot edge 52. This decreases the stress concentration about the pivot edge, decreasing the hazard of the jaws cracking about the pivot edge and allowing a much stronger spring to be used with plastic or hard rubber jaw members.

A further feature of the invention that is of special merit is the provision of recess 29 in the bottom of each jaw. This allows the jaw to withstand the force of the spring where the spring touches the jaw by providing a large area over which the force is dispersed. Similarly, channels 25 of the jaws support bottom portions 20 of the spring. This distributes the force which the spring applies to the jaw over a large jaw area, avoiding stress concentration and resultant jaw cracking. It also enables the primary pressure of the spring 13 to be exerted on the gripping means 16 of each jaw, enabling the invention to hold garments securely in place.

What is claimed is:

1. A clamping clip having an opening comprising a pair of jaws, each of said jaws having two ends and a gripping means at one end, each of said jaws including a pivotal connection intermediate its ends, spring means to continuously bias said jaws about said pivotal connection to bring said gripping means of each jaw into abutting relation with said gripping means of the other jaw, and means about said pivotal connection of each of said jaws for increasing the resistance of said jaws to cracking from high stress concentrations, each of said jaws having a front and rear side and a first and second side and said gripping means located on said front side, said pivotal connection of each of said jaws being located on said front side, and said means about said pivotal connection 4 of each of said jaws for increasing resistance of said jaws to cracking including built-up crosssectional areas about said pivotal connection on said first and said second side of each of said jaws.

2. A clamping clip according to claim 1, wherein said spring means comprises a generally U shaped member having two legs of constant cross-sectional area and a top portion, each of said jaws having a slot therein through which a leg of said spring is inserted, and said top of said spring being above said pivotal connection of each of said jaws.

3. A clamping clip according to claim 1 wherein each of said jaw rear sides has a channel extending part of the length of said jaw, and each of said channels has a recess therein at the first end of said jaws, each of said spring legs being dimpled on one end and in mating relation with one of said jaw recesses.

4. A clamping clip according to claim 3, wherein each of said channels on said rear of said jaws has a flat portion integral with said jaw recess and an inclined portion integral with said flat section and inclined thereto, each of said spring legs having a flared portion integral with said top and flared with respect thereto, and a bottom portion inclined with respect to said flared portion and integral therewith, said bottom portion of each of said spring legs lying against said jaw channel fiat section.

5. A clamping clip according to claim 1 wherein a leg extends across the width of each of said jaws from said built-up area on one side of said jaw to said built-up area on said other side of said jaw, said pivotal connection being about said ledge.

6. A clamping clip comprising a pair of jaws having a first and second end and a gripping means at said first end, each of said jaws including a pivotal connection intermediate its ends, each of said jaws having a front and rear side and a first and second side, said gripping means being located on said front side, said pivotal connection of each of said jaws located on said front side, said jaw rear sides having a channel extending part of the length of said jaw, each of said channels having a recess therein at the first end of said jaw, said jaw channels further including a flat section integral with said recesses and an inclined portion integral with said flat section and inclined thereto, a spring being generally U shaped having two legs of constant cross-section and a curved top portion, said top portion being above said pivotal connection of said jaws, each of said spring legs having a flared portion which is slightly curved and integral with said top portion and flared with respect thereto, and a bottom portion inclined with respect to said flared portion and integral therewith, each of said jaws defining a slot through which a spring leg traverses with each of said spring legs being dimpled .at one end and in mating relation with a jaw recess with said bottom portion of each spring leg lying against said jaw channel fiat section of each of said jaws, a portion of built-up material on each side of each of said jaws to provide increased strength for each jaw, a ledge extending across the width of said jaws from said built-up area on one side of said jaw to said built-up area on said other side, said ledge having a peg extending therefrom and a hole thereinto, said built-up material on each side of said jaw being an arc of material of about said are defining on said jaws an opening for a rod to be inserted therethrough, said ledge having an upper edge which is said pivotal connection and adjacent to and below said opening, whereby said clip will stay in one place during actual clamping.

7. A clamping clip having an opening comprising a pair of jaws, each of said jaws having two ends and a gripping means at one end, each of said jaws including a pivotal connection intermediate its ends, spring means to continuously bias said jaw members about said pivotal connection to bring said gripping means of each jaw into abutting relation with gripping means of the other jaw, means about said pivotal connection of each of said jaws for increasing the resistance of said jaws to cracking from high stress concentrations, said spring means being a generally U shaped member having two legs of constant cross-sectional area and a top portion, each of said jaws having a slot therein through which a leg of said spring is inserted, said top of said spring being above said pivotal connection of each of said jaws, each of said jaw-s having a front and rear side and a first and second side and said gripping means are located on said front side, said pivotal connection of each of said jaws being located on said front side, said means about said pivotal connection of each of said jaws for increasing the resistance of said jaws to cracking includes a built-up cross-sectional area about said pivotal connection on said first and said second side of each of said jaws, each of said jaw rear sides having a channel extending part of the length of said jaw, and each of said channels has a recess therein at the first end of said jaws, each of said spring legs being dimpled on one end and in mating relation with one of said jaw recesses, each of said channels on said rear of said jaws having a flat portion integral with said jaw recess and an inclined portion integral with said fiat section and inclined thereto, each of said spring leg-s having a flared portion integral with said top and flared with respect thereto, a bottom portion inclined with respect to said flared portion and integral therewith, said bottom portion of each of said spring legs lying against said jaw channel fiat section, a ledge extends across the width of each of said jaws from said built-up area on one side of said jaw to said built-up area on said other side of said jaw, said ledge having a peg extending therefrom and a hole thereinto, said pivotal connection being about said ledge, and said built-up area on each of said sides of each of said jaws includes a circular arc of built-up material extending from said ledge on each of said jaw sides to a point on said front of each of said jaws.

8. A clamping clip according to claim 7, wherein said circular are on each of said sides of said jaws has an inner section which defines an opening with said ledge being adjacent to and below said opening.

9. A clamping clip according to claim 8 wherein said ledge has an upper edge and said pivotal connection is about said upper edge.

References Cited UNIT ED STATES PATENTS 2,408,344 9/ 1946 Scurrah. 2,583,784 l/ 1952 Maccaferri 22391 2,666,240 l/ 1954 Maccaferri 24--252 X FOREIGN PATENTS 277,009 ll/ 1951 Switzerland.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner PEI-1050 (5/69) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3: 5 62 Dated July 1), 1969 Inventor-(s) Herb Coon It is certified that err or appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Claim 5, column A, line ?8, "leg" should be -ledn;e-.

bLIH LU SEALED DEC 2 1959 (SEAL) Am Infill-Ember, Jr. WILLIAM E. Meeting Officer Oomisaioner of Paten 

